The future of the Bearsden Shark

The Group having reviewed its raison d’etre believe that awareness in the local community and beyond of the fossil finds in Bearsden which are held in high regard by palaeontologists world-wide is limited and propose to carry out a number of actions to allow the community to be more aware and appreciate the extraordinary finds within the town.

The primary aim is to display a bronze sculpture in the town centre which will be at a location accessible to passersby and visitors who may have found out about the Shark in the media. The preferred location is the Hub, either outside the entrance or inside the building. The decision as to the best location requires discussion with the Council with a view to obtaining any permissions such as planning, building control, health and safety and any others arising. Costings have been obtained for the cost of achieving the bronze sculpture and further costings are required for foundation, display support and installation. There are substantial costs arising and fund raising will be initiated as soon as the necessary information is established. The considerable activities carried out to date have been achieved using the grant provided to the Group by Tarmac who then and still operate the local quarry. The Group anticipate the sculpture display will be similarly financed by raising funds by appeal to national and local organisations as well as individuals.

When the sculpture display has been achieved further aims of the Group include:

- repair and maintenance of the existing site markers or replacement at adjacent location

- merchandising materials including shark cube, paper weight, place mat, key ring, badge, jewellery.

- most important will be involving the local community in our activities which in part will include giving talks to any interested group.

An issue which the Group wishes to take up with the Council is that we are aware of the responsibility of the Council for tourism and had expressed in a response to the last Development Plan consultation to the development of a tourist trail including the Castlehill fortlet, the Roman wall route, the Roman Fort and Baths at Roman Road and the wall foundations visible at Boclair Cemetery, with of course a detour to the Shark site. We have obtained orders of costs for information boards, the most important of which would be located in the town centre.

All of the above aims will benefit not only the local population and visitors as suggested above but there will be potential advantage to local businesses, particularly cafes, restaurants and shops.